LETTER: Uptown Kingston beautification a community effort

I was delighted to see the Uptown Kingston planter initiative on the front page of the June 1 Local news section. As the president of the Kingston Uptown Business Association, I believe I can speak for the KUBA board when I say we are doing everything we can to ready Uptown for a summer of events, tourists, shopping, dining and just plain fun.

KUBA Proud, our Uptown beautification committee headed by Julie Jordan, is responsible for the concept of “adopt a planter.” There are 22 planters in and around the Pike Plan area; each one was put up for “adoption” to local residents and/or businesses with the understanding that each adoptee would plant and take care of their planter. I am happy to report that all 22 were adopted within two days. During the past few weeks, approximately two-thirds of the planters have been completed, and they are spectacular.

Although Herzog’s is indeed a generous supporter of the effort, I know that Ms. Jordan wants everyone to know that the plants are paid for by the residents and business owners who adopted them.

In addition to being able to enjoy the diverse beauty of the different takes of the box garden, at the end of the summer, we will ask visitors and residents to vote on their favorite planter. Beauty and community participation — nothing could be better.